San Jose Sharks forwards Macklin Celebrini and Tyler Toffoli discussed what head coach Ryan Warsofsky is doing to build a winning culture.
View the original article to see embedded media.
Warsofsky has implemented small-area games where the losing team must bag skate, creating internal competition.
Celebrini understands no player wants to bag skate after a drill, but the 2024 No. 1 pick says that can’t be the motivator.
“No one wants to bag skate at the end of practice, and winning is how you avoid that,” Celebrini said. “I feel like that shouldn’t be the motivator. I feel like it should just come within our room, where we hate to lose games. Even if it’s preseason, we’re not happy if we’re losing games. It’s not acceptable.”
At 18, Celebrini’s ability to understand the game like a ten-year vet is remarkable.
“He wants to get better. He wants to go first because he wants to get the puck and have the puck,” Toffoli said about Celebrini. “That’s one of his strengths and what’s going to make him a great player in this league.”
Toffoli agreed with Celebrini about not wanting to bag skate after drills.
“I mean, it’s not like the skates are easy. It’s the reason why guys don’t want to do it, and I think it’s a good thing,” Toffoli said. “I think throughout camp, and I don’t know how it’s going to go throughout the season, but throughout camp, it’s been like that every day. Every time you’re not playing, there is a little game. It’s also fun at the same time, and it’s definitely healthy competition.”
The Sharks have done much losing over the last five seasons, and Warsofsky hasn’t been shy about saying that needs to change. The Sharks had the least number of wins in the NHL last season, with 19.
“That’s what we’re building. That’s what we’re trying to get to. I guess it’s good that they’re saying that, [but] now we’re going to start showing it a little bit more,” Warsofsky said. “You see it every day. It’s probably a little bit of a step in the right direction in that and that phase, and that’s what we’re trying to build here. As much as we want to love to win, we got to hate to lose.”
Although it is cliche, the hate to lose is starting to show up in practice. Carl Grundstrom broke a stick out of frustration at having to skate because his team lost a small-area game.
Group 2 team Teal beats team White/Black in the half-wall 3v3 game. Grundstrum broke his stick smacking the boards out of frustration for losing.
— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) September 25, 2024
“That’s not punishment by any means. Carl’s a competitive guy. I know he is, but I want them to understand in crucial moments, and both games went to next goal wins, I want to see who steps up in that moment,” Warsofsky said. “Who can grind through those moments? Who can make the little play, the little details? Can we play with that when we’re tired? Can we have that mental toughness will be the next step in our journey here.”
The Sharks take on the Anaheim Ducks in Anaheim tomorrow night as they seek their first preseason win.
Make sure you bookmark THN’s San Jose Sharks site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
Top Sharks Prospects Team Up In Latest Training Camp Line Shuffles
Preseason Player Spotlight: Will Smith Leaves Sharks Wanting More
BREAKING: Flyers Sign Former Top Sharks Goalie Prospect
BREAKING: Flyers Sign Former Top Sharks Goalie Prospect
Former Sharks Hometown Hero Goalie Amazes With Spectacular Save, Hilarious Quote
